Guests, including these two state troopers, salute the flag raised at half-staff as a trumpeter plays “Taps” during Friday’s memorial
service for Mexia PD Officer Ricky Ward, who was killed on duty
20 years ago.
Mexia News photo/Brenda Sommer

By Brenda Sommer
Managing Editor

Speakers remembered “gentle giant” Ricky Ward at a memorial service Friday, 20 years to the day the Mexia police officer was killed in the line of duty.

The memorial was held in front of the police department to honor the sacrifice of Ward, who died Aug. 2, 1993 at the age of 33.

County Judge Daniel Burkeen and Sheriff Dennis Wilson were among those who spoke to the crowd of about 60.

“He lives in our minds and hearts as a hero,” Wilson said, also discussing the way myriad law enforcement agencies came together to capture Ward’s killer.

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